Machine for filling and sealing a container



Jan. 3, 1956 J. G. O'NEIL 2,729,377

MACHINE FOR FILLING AND SEALING A CONTAINER Filed Jan. 19, 1952 '7 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR. J 0/1 4% 0 Ms/1.

Jan. 3, 1956 J. G. O'NEIL MACHINE FOR FILLING AND SEALING A CONTAINER '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 19, 1952 FIE'E IN If EN TOR. JOHN 4 0465/4 BY Jan. 3, 1956 J G. O'NElL 2,729,377

MACHINE FOR FILLING AND SEALING A CONTAINER Filed Jan. 19, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 3 FIGS I III I N VEN TOR.

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BY zit M. zzy

Jan. 3, 1956 J. G. O'NEIL MACHINE FOR FILLING AND SEALING A CONTAINER Filed Jan. 19, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 INVENTOR.

4 TO WVEK INVENTOR. JflhW 0W5.

7 Sheets-Sheet 6 J. G. O'NEIL MACHINE FOR FILLING AND SEALING A CONTAINER Jan. 3, 1956 Filed Jan. 19, 1952 Jan. 3, 1956 J. G. O'NEIL I MACHINE FOR FILLING AND SEALING A CONTAINER Filed Jan. 19, 1952 7 Sheets-Sheet 7 FIE'ZS INVENTOR.

177 ral-WVE K United States Patent MACHINE FOR FILLING AND SEALING A CONTAINER John G. ONeil, Minneapolis, Minn., assignor to Weinon Corporation, St. Paul, Minn., a corporation of Minnesota Application January 19, 1952, Serial No. 267,283

14 Claims. (Cl. 226-75) This invention relates to a method and apparatus for filling, capping and sealing a container. While various types of containers could be used, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, a container is shown as one made from heavy paper or cardboard having a closed and sealed bottom and to which a cap or cover made of similar material is applied.

It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for moving said containers to a filling device on which they are moved and progressively filled, then moving said containers to another member Where a cap or cover is fed into alignment with the container and the container then moved to a device which secures and seals said cover onto said container. I

It is also an object of this invention to provide a novel apparatus for continuously moving a container to and on a filling device, then moving a cover into alignment with said container and securing and sealing said cover to said container by novel means.

It is further an object of this invention to provide an apparatus as set forth in the preceding paragraph in which said last mentioned means includes a pair of cooperating dies for securing said cover on said container, one of. which dies comprises a multiplicity of resilient members adapted to surround said cover and press it into close contact with said container.

It is still further an object of this invention to provide a rotating member having spaced portions for supporting a filled container, a second rotatable member above said member and coaxially therewith and carrying spaced sealing heads and a cap feeding device for each sealing head, means for rotating said members together, and means actuated by said rotation for feeding caps to said sealing heads and causing said portions to move said containers to said caps and sealing heads.

It is another object of this'invention to provide an apparatus as set forth'in the preceding paragraph, said.

apparatus having a member for receiving said containers with the. caps sealed thereto, and means on said first mentioned rotating member for moving said sealed containers onto said last mentioned member.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fully set forth in the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. l is a view in front elevation of the apparatus of this invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on line 2-2 of Fig. 1 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a horizontal section take on line 3-3 of Fig. 1 showing the driving mechanism of the apparatus;

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-'-4 of Fig. 1 as indicated by the arrow;

Fig. 5 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 4 showing the parts in different positions;

2,729,377 Patented Jan. 3, 1956 2 Fig. 6 is a plan view of a key member used;

Fig. 7 is a vertical section through the sealing head for the container;

Fig. 8 is a vertical section similar to Fig. 7 showing the parts in different positions;

Fig. 9 is a central vertical section showing a modified form of the sealing head;

Fig. 10 is a section similar to Fig. 7 showing the parts in dilferent positions;

Fig. 11 is a partial bottom plan view of Fig. 9 as indicated by line 11-11 looking in the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 12 is a partial view showing a modification;

Fig. 13 is a partial horizontal section taken substantially on line 13-13 of Fig. 12 as indicated by the arrows; I

Fig. 14 is a horizontal section taken substantially on line 14-14 of Fig. l'as'indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 15 is a vertical section taken substantially on line 1515 of Fig. 14 as indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 16 is a partial bottom plan view of Fig. 1-5 as seen from line 16-46 and as indicated by the arrows; and

Fig. 17 is a partial side view of Fig. 1 as seen from line 1717 and indicated by the arrows. While different types and shapes of containers might be filled and sealed by the apparatus herein disclosed, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated a cylindrical container made from-heavy strong paper or light cardboard is shown. The cap or cover and the container are coated on each side with a lacquer, plastic or other substance which forms a waterproof coating. This lacquer is softened by heat and forms an effective sealing adhesive. While various lacquers might be used, in practice a lacquer formed of pigmented vinol has been found to be very satisfactory. 7

Referring to the drawings, particularly Figs. 1 and 2, a machine is shown having a guideway 15 in which the cylindrical containers 16 having open upper ends are moved. The containers 16 substantially fit between the sides 15a of the guideway 15 and are supported on the bottom of said guideway. A conveyor belt 14 forms said bottom, the same running over a pulley 17 suitably carried on the machine frame. Belt 14 will be driven by suitable means not shown.

Adjacent one end of guideway 15 is a revolving plate 18 mounted to rotate about a shaft 20, said plate being circularin outline and having semi-cylindrical circumferentially spaced recesses 18a in its periphery, said recesses being shown as three in number. Another member 21 is mounted for rotation on a shaft 22 and said member has a plurality ofvertically extending standards 21a carried thereon. Movable vertically on each of the standards 21ais a member 24 having a top platelike portion 24a which is shown in Fig. 2 substantially square in outline. As shown in Fig. 2, the inner and outer sides of the portions 24a are curved. Rods 25 are secured to the undersides of portions 240 and extend downwardly through members 24 and 21a and through member 21 and have secured to their lower ends cam rollers 26. Said lower ends are bifurcated and the rollers 26 are disposed in and rotate in the bifurcation of rods 25 and are mounted on pins or axles 28. The rollers 26 are arranged to engage the top of a stationary cam member 30 which is carried on the base portion 31 of the machine. As shown in Fig. 1, base portion 31 is supported upon a plurality of legs 32. The containers 16 are moved onto the plates 24a by the member 18 as the latter rotates.

A supply tank or reservoir 34 is provided, the same being carried upon a plate 35 having a depending central hub 55a. Hub a fits over the vertical shaft 36 which is secured to and rotates with shaft 22. Hub 35a is split at its bottom and can be clamped onto shaft 36 by the clamping screw 38. The bottom of tank 34 has secured thereto and depending therefrom a plurality of cylindrical members 34a illustrated as six in number. A cage member 40 is disposed over each member 34:: in axial alignment therewith, the same having circumferentially spaced leg portions and having an annular top portion. A tube 41 extends axially through cage member 40 and member 34a, the same having secured thereto spaced collars 42. A key member 43 shown in Fig. 6 embraces tube 41 between collars 42 and rests upon the top of member 40. Tube 41 is thus held in position. Tube 41 is open at its upper end and at its bottom end carries a cylindrical portion 414: of somewhat smaller diameter than the inside diameter of container 16. Member 41a has an upper portion of reduced diameter provided with an annular groove in its periphery in which a ring 44 is disposed, which ring acts as a valve. Tube 41 is cut away at one side as shown at 41b at its lower end. A cylindrical member 46 surrounds portion 340 and is secured thereto. Member 46 has a peripheral flange 46a and a lower tubular portion of reduced diameter which is open at its lower end. A member 47 surrounds said last mentioned portion and engages flange 46a at its upper side. Member 47 is shown as cylindrical and will be made of rubber or similar material. A compression coiled spring 48 engages the top of flange 46:: at its lower end and engages a nut 50 at its upper end, which nut is threaded on portion 34a and engages the bottom of plate 35.

A plate 52 is secured to a shaft 53 (see Figs. 1 and 2), the same having its bottom engaging a collar 51 secured to shaft 53. Said plate is secured by a nut 55 threaded on shaft 53 and resting on the top of plate 52. Plate 52 is of circular outline and has a plurality of recesses 52a in its periphery which are shown as three in number.

A plate-like member 54 extends about the greater part of the periphery of member 18 and in spaced relation thereto and also extends about member 52 for a portion of the periphery thereof in spaced relation thereto. Member 54 also has a portion 54a extending over member 21 some distance above the top thereof. Plate 54 also has a portion 54b extending adjacent to a shaft with which moves a member 57. Member 54 as shown in Fig. 1, has a thickness substantially the same as members 18 and 52. A plate 58 shown in dottedlines in Fig. 2 is disposed some distance below member 52 and rests on top of a standard: 31a, which upsta-nds from base member 31 and through which; shaft 53 extends. A nut 59 threaded on shaft 5 3v engages. the top of plate 58. Plate 58 is also supported. by a member 580 extending to frame 31. Member 54 is supported from plate 58 by a plurality of posts 58b. Bolts 63- extend through plate 54 into posts 58f. Plate 58 has a portion 58c disposed below portion 54a, a portion 58d onto which the containers move from trough 15 and a portion 58e onto which, the containers finally move.

Member 57 is mounted to rotate with a shaft 60 and has at opposite sides upstanding portions 57a forming guides for inverted cup-like members 61 having plate portions 61a at their upper ends. As shown in Fig. 2, portions 61a are of substantial sector shape. A rod 62 is connected to each plate portion 61a and is bifurcated at its lower end'to receive a, cam roller. 64 mounted on a pin 65 carried in said rod. Rollers 64 engage the top of a stationary cam member 66 mounted. on base member 31. Member 57 also carries upstanding portions 57b to which are secured the members 68 which are of semi-cylindrical plateelike form. Members 68 are secured by bolts 69.

Mounted some distance above each side of member 54 and member 61 is a sealing head 70 and a cap or cover feeding device 72. There are two of the sealing heads 70 and two of the cover feeding devices. Sealing heads 70 have flanges 70m at their sides secured to guideways 720 by bolts 7011. Each sealing head 70 has a guideway 721! secured thereto in which is movable a slide member 72b. Slide member 72b moves beneath a cylindrical container 720 in which the caps or covers 1611 are stacked one above the other, as shown in Fig. 14. Slide 72b has a downwardly extending pin 72d at its central portion to which is secured the central portion of a tensile coiled spring 72e which is secured at its ends to pins 72) respectively secured at each side of the guideway 72a. A member of arcuate form having a flange 73a at one side is disposed below guideway 72a, the same being supported on a standard 73a secured at its lower end to plate 58 and extending through member 54. Pin 72d extends downwardly through a slot 72b in slide 720 in position to engage flange 73a of member 73.

The sealing head 70 has a portion 70b at its lower end secured thereto by bolts 75. Another cylindrical member 71 engages the bottom of member 70b and is secured thereto by bolts 75. Member 71 has an annular groove 71b in its inner side in which is disposed a coiled spring 74 of small wire. Said portion 71b has walls extending outwardly and flush with the walls of guideway 72a. The slide 72b engages the lowermost cover 16a and moves the same, as illustrated in Fig. 14, into the member 71b so that the outer depending flange 16b of said cover is supported on top of spring 74, as shown in Fig. 14, and said cover is brought into position substantially in axial alignment with the head 70. Head 70 has a cylindrical member 70a to the lower end of which is connected a portion 70b having an opening therein with an upwardly and inwardly extending surface 700 which extends to a short cylindrical surface 70d. Said portion 70b is secured to head 70a by a plurality of circumferentially spaced headed bolts 75 having their heads countersunk in portions 70b. The lower portion of head 70a is counterbored and a portion 702' is disposed in said counterbore and engaged by member 70b. Portion 700 may also be engaged by one or more set screws 76. Portion 70a at its lower end has an outwardly and downwardly extending. surface 70f. A central member 70g is provided which is of general cylindrical form having a lower portion of slightly reduced diameter. Said member 70g is divided horizontally along the line 70h and a heating member 76 is disposed between the two parts thereof, the same being supplied with electrical current bythe conductors 78. Conductors 78 extend through an opening in the upper part of member 70g and through an opening in the upper end of member 70a. Member 70g has a central vertically extending portion 701' from which extends a portion 70 of greatly reduced diameter. A headed bolt 79 secures the parts of members 70g together. A compression coiled spring 80 engages member 70g at its lower end and engages the top of member 70 at its upper end, the same extending about and being held in position by portion 701'.

Member 70g has secured about the periphery thereof by small screws 82 a plate 83, the lower end of which is divided into a multiplicity of portions or prongs 83a having their lower ends rolled outwardly into a substantially cylindrical bead. An outwardly extending partly cylindrical head or bend'83b is formed'in portions 83a adjacent their connection with plate 83. Member 70:: has secured thereto and. extending, upwardly therefrom a. shaft 85, said shaft being shown as having a collar 85a thereon countersunk into the top of member 7011.

Shaft 60,. extends upwardly anda sleeve 86 is clamped thereto. Sleeve 86 is split and has. spacedlugs 86a through which extends a headed and nutted bolt 87.

Member 86 has adjacent its. top outwardly extending plate-like portions 86b. Shafts extend into and can move in openings in portions86b. Portions 85 have secured thereto by set screws 88a collars88 and stiif compression springs 89 surround portions 85 and engage collars 88 at their lower ends and portions 86b at their upper ends. Springs 89 are merely provided for safety in case excessive pressure should be applied to heads 70. Member 86 also has portions 86c fitting over portions 72c and having openings into portions 720 through which the caps or covers 160 can be placed in portions 720. A plate-like portion 86d extends between and overlies portions 860. Shaft 60 has areduced portion 60a extending through member 86, and a collar 86:: is secured to portion 60a and engages the top of member 86.

In Figs. 9 and 10 a die member 90 is shown which is divided into two parts along the line 90a, which parts are connected by a plurality of circumferentially spaced headed bolts 91, the same being shown as having their heads countersunk into member 90. The lower portion 90b of member 90 is also divided along-the line 900 and the parts thereof will be held together by a plurality of circumferentially spaced headed bolts 92 having their heads countersunk into the lower part of member 90. A heating element 94 is disposedin the parts of portion 90b and the same will be supplied with electrical current by conductors 95 which extend through suitable openings 90d in member 90. The lower portion 90b has an upwardly and inwardly directed surface 90c, the lower portion of which is provided with circumferentially spaced ribs 98 An inner die 98 is provided of frusto conical form having its outer surface extending outwardly and inwardly and preferably provided with a multiplicity of circumferentially spaced small ribs 98a. The ribs 98a and 90f do not have sharp or angular form in 'cross section but have a fiat curve formation as shown in Fig. 13. Die 93 has an upwardly extending central portion 98b of reduced diameter to which is secured a shaft 100 which is threaded at its upper end to be connected to a suitable carrier. A compression coiled spring of frusto conical shape surrounds portion 98b and shaft 100, the same engaging the top of die 98 at its lower end and engaging the upper portion of member 90, the upper end of said spring being disposed ina recess 90g formed in member 96.

in Fig. 12 a modification of portion 90b of the head shown in Figs. 9 and 10 is shown. In this figure member 90b is shown in two parts, the same being divided along the line 96b. The part 100 carries the heating element 94 shown in Figs. 9 and 10. The inner portion 101 has the same upwardly and inwardly sloping surface as portion 9% and has the corrugations 101d which are'identical with the corrugations 90f on portion 90b. An inner portion 101 will-be coated on its surface 1012 with cad mium, chromium, or similar metal. Such plating has been found in practice to give better results when the die engages the material of the container. Inner member 101 can be held in place by bolts 102 extending through portion 90 and having their heads countersunk therein;

In Fig. 13 the drive for the various parts of the machine is shown. As shown in Fig. 1, a bracket 105 is secured to and extends from frame member 31. Another bracket 106 extends vertically from bracket 105 and is arranged for horizontal sliding movement therein. A screw 107 having one end journaled in frame 31 is threaded in bracket 106 and provided with a crank handle 1'68. Bracket 106 has a top fiat surface to which is secured a driving motor 110. Motor 110 has a pulley 111 secured to its driving shaft over which runs a belt 112, also running over a pulley 114 secured to a shaft 115. Shaft 115 isv journaled in frame 31, as shown in Fig. 3, and has secured to its inner end within said frame a beveled gear 116. Beveled gear 116 meshes with a beveled gear 117 secured to a shaft 118, the upper end of beveled .gear 117 being formed as a chain sprocket 117a. A chain 120 runs around the. outer side of sprocket 117a and around the outer side of a somewhat larger sprocket 121. Sprocket 121 is secured to shaft 60. Chain 120 also runs around a small sprocket 122 which is secured to a shaft 123 suitably journaled in frame 31. Chain 120 runs around the inner side of a sprocket 124 which is secured to shaft 20. Chain 120 then runs around a sprocket 126 secured to a shaft 127 suitably journaled in frame 31.- Sprockets 122 and 126 are idler sprockets provided to hold chain 120 in engagement with sprocket 124. Chain 120 then runs around a large sprocket 127' which is secured to shaft 22. Chain 120 then runs around a small sprocket 128 similar to sprocket 117a and around a sprocket 130 which is secured to shaft 53. Sprocket 128 is an idler sprocket. The various sprockets will have a diameter to give the desired speeds to the various shafts.

In operation, the containers 16 with closed bottoms and open upper ends will be moved in trough 15 by conveyors 14. As the conveyors reach member 18 they will enter one of the recesses 18a and will then be moved as shown, by the container 16a in a circular path against member 54. As they come into position over the members 24, they will be deposited on the tops 24a thereof. Member 21 is rotated by shaft 22 and the conveyors are brought into position under one of the members 46. As member 21 moves, the roller 26 on the shaft 25 raises the particular member 24 upward, as said roller moves on the upwardly inclined portion of cam 30. The container is then moved upwardly with member 24 and engages the bottom of member 47 as shown in Fig. 5. This moves the bottom of member 46 away from the valve ring 44 and milk flows through the openings of cage 40, through portion 34a and member 46, into the container 16. As the container fills, the air therein can pass out through the opening in tube 41 which will extend above the level of the milk or other liquid in container 34. The container moves around with the member 35 and when it is filled it is lowered by the roller 26 moving down on the downwardly inclined portion of cam 30. Member 46 is moved downwardly by spring 48. as the container is lowered and the lower portion of member 46 engages ring 44 and shuts off the flow of milk. Portion 41a is provided to be sure that the right amount of milk is delivered to the container and that there will be some portion of the container above the level of the milk. The containers in their lower position on members 24 then come into engagement with member 52 and enter one of the recesses 52a and are moved around in a circular path against member 54 and onto one of the portions 61a. The filled container isthen raised, as the roller 64 on the shaft 62 secured to the member 61 travels up the upwardly inclined portion of cam 66. The container rotates with member 52 and the end 72d engages the flange 73a at cam 73 and the slide 72b is moved toward the head 70 which is rotating with member 57. The slide engages the bottom cap in container 72c and the same is moved into the head 70 and supported on spring 71b, as shown in Figs. 7 and 14. As member 86 rotates pin 72d engages the flange 73a of cam member 73 and said slide 72b is moved away from head 70. A cap can now be fed downwardly in front of slide 72b in guideway 72a. Pin 72d is then allowed to move toward head 90 by cam 73 under th tension of spring 722.

As the container moves upwardly, it is now accurately centered with head 70 by engaging the convex side of the spring 71b. It moves into the cap 16; as shown in Fig. 7. The container continues upwardly and the outer flange 16b of cap 16a engages the convex surfaces of the spring elements 83a. The container continues its upward movement and member 70g is moved upwardly. The surface 70 will engage the beads on members 83 so that the same will be moved inwardlyand the inner sides of the spring portions 831': are moved firmly against the outer flange 16b of the car: 1611. It will be noted that the lower part of member 70g fits in the cap 16c so that the inner and outer flanges 16b and 16c of the cap 1611 are pressed with considerable force about the upper portion of container 16. The heated member 70g causes the lacquer on the container and cap to act as an adhesive and the cap is very securely sealed to the container. The sealing heads 70 and the cap-feeding devices 72 continue to rotate, and after the container is sealed the member 61 on which it is carried is lowered by the roller 65 passing down the inclined portion of cam 66. The con tainer then reaches the level where its bottom is flush with the top of p'late 58. As the containers move in their circular path, the members 68 engage the same and successively move the filled and capped containers off of portion 61a and they move against member 54, as shown in Fig. 2, onto the plate 58 and around the flange 58e thereof as shown in Fig. 2. The filled containers can then be taken off the plate 58 and the desired disposition made thereof.

The sealing head shown in' Figs. 9 and 10 is a modified form of that shown in Figs. 7 and 8. When the head shown in Figs. 9 and l0 is used, the container will be moved upwardly as described and the outer flange of the cap 16a will engage the inclined surface 90a and be moved inwardly. Die member 98 will be engaged by the top of cap 16c and by relative movement of members 90 and 98 the inner and outer flanges of the cap will be very tightly pressed between the corrugations 90 and the cor rugations 98a. The die member 90 is heated by the heat= ing element 94' and the lacquer on the container and cap is heated and becomes an adhesive so that the upper part of the container and the cap are firmly and securely sealed together. The dies 90 and 98 give an inward inclination to the sealed top of the container. The sealed container is lowered on member 61a as previously described.

From the above description it will be seen that I have provided a comparatively simple yet highly eflicient method and machine for handling, filling, capping and sealing the containers. The containers are very tightly sealed. The containers have been found to be highly satisfactory for containing milk, orange and lemon juice, soft drinks, canned vegetables and fruits, and other fruit juices. Long tests have been made with various products and liquids in the containers and no leaks have developed. The original quality of the contents is preserved.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, proportions and details of the apparatus and in the steps of the method Without departing from applicants invention, which generally stated, consists in a method and apparatus as set forth in the above objects and as disclosed herein and set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

l. The method of sealing a container having an open upper end which consists in forming a closure member having a flat central portion and an upwardly and reversely bent peripheral flange, said flange thus having inner and outer portions, said flat central portion being disposed below the top of said flange, coating said container and flange with a substance adapted to form an adhesive when heated,- holding said closure member above said container and substantially axially aligned therewith, moving said container upwardly into said closure member between said inner and outer portions of said flange, heating said closure member and upper portion of said container to soften said substance and pressing both portions of said flange against the inner and outer sides of said container to seal said container and flange together.

2. A sealing device comprising a rotatable member, a sealing head carried on said member, a receptacle carried on said member for containing superposed cupshaped closure members was having an inner mugs and an outer depending flange, means operated by rotation of said rotatable member for feeding the lowermost one of said closure members into axial alinement with said sealing head, means for moving an open-ended container into mtiil alinement with said sealing head and elevating said container to bring its upper end between said flanges and into said sealing head, said sealing head comprising means for pressing 'said flanges against the inner and outer sides of the wall of said container, said flanges and container being coated with a substance adapted to form an adhesive when heated, said sealing head comprising a member engaging the top of said closure member and said inner flange and having a heating element therein whereby said container and flanges are sealed together.

3. A machine for sealing a cup-shaped closure memher having an inner peripheral flange and an outer depending peripheral flange to an open-ended container having in combination, a rotatable member, a plurality of spaced sealing heads carried by said rotatable member, a plurality of receptacles carried by said rotatable member for containing said closure members in superposed relation, guidew'ays extending from said receptacles to adjacent said sealing heads respectively, means actuated by rotation of said rotatable member for moving the lowermost closure member in said receptacles through said guideways and into alinement with said sealing heads respectively, means for moving a container into axial alinement with each of said sealing heads respectively and to position with its wall between said flanges, said sealing head each having a central cylindrical portion engaging the top of a closure member and the inner flange thereof and circumferentially disposed members movable against said outer flange whereby said flanges are pressed against said wall of said container,- said sealing head having a heating element therein and said container and closure member being coated with a substance adapted to form an adhesive when heated whereby said flanges and container are sealed together.

4. A machine for filling and sealing a container having in combination, a guideway, a conveyor for moving a series of containers resting on said guide'way, a rotating supporting member having spaced plates thereon open to the atmosphere at their upper ends for receiving and supporting said containers, a guide member having a plurality of curved surfaces thereon, a rotating feeding plate for engaging said containers on said conveyor and moving the same respectively along one of said surfaces on to said plates, at liquid discharging means disposed in the atmosphere above said rotating supporting member having a discharge device for discharging liquid at atmospheric pressure, means for successively raising said first mentioned plates with containers thereon to move said containers to said discharge device and operate the same for filling said containers at atmospheric pressure and then lowering said containers, a second rotating supporting member having plate-like portions for receiving and supporting said containers, a second rotating feeding plate for engaging and moving said filled containers along another of said surfaces on said guide member from said first mentioned rotating supporting member onto said portions respectively of said second rotating member, a sealing head having a heating element therein, a receptacle on said second rotating member containing covers in superposed vertical alignment, means for feeding a cup-shaped cover into alignment with said sealing head, and means for moving said portions of said second rotating supporting member upwardly to move the open end of a container into said cover between said flanges and sealing head for sealing said cover onto said container, said head having a central cylindrical member arranged to engage the top of said cover and said inner flange and having circumferentially disposed resilient members for engaging the outer side of said dependent flange whereby f9 said flanges are pressed against the sidesof said open end of said container for then lowering said portions.

5. The structure set forth in claim 4, shafts secured to said first and second rotating feeding members and said rotating supporting members, sprockets on said shafts respectively, a single chain engaging all of said sprockets for rotating said shafts, means for driving said chain and a receiving member onto which said sealed containers are moved in engagement with another of said surfaces on said guide member.

6. A machine for sealing a cup-shaped closure member having a depending peripheral flange coated with a substance forming an adhesive when heated to an open-ended non-rigid container about which said flange is adapted to extend, said container being coated with a substance adapted to form an adhesive when heated having in combination, a rotating member, a heated sealing head carried by said member, said sealing head having means for pressing said flange against the outer side of said container and sealing said flange to said container by the heat and pressure of said head, said head having a guideway extending laterally therefrom, a receptacle for containing said closure members carried on said member, a slide for moving the lowermost closure member in said receptacle laterally from said receptacle into vertical alignment with said sealing head, means for moving said slide as said member rotates, and means for moving said container upwardly to and within said flange of said closure member and into said sealing head.

7. A machine for sealing a cup-shaped closure member having an inner flange and an outer depending flange coated with a substance forming an adhesive when heated to an open-ended non-rigid container about the inner and outer sides of which said flanges respectively extend, said container being coated with a substance adapted to form an adhesive when heated having in combination, a rotating member, a sealing head carried by said member, means for heating said head, said sealing head having means for pressing said flanges against both sides of said container respectively and sealing said flange to both sides of said container, a receptacle carried by said rotating member containing closure members in superposed vertical alignment, means for supporting and lifting said container, means carried by said rotatable member for pushing the lowermost closure member insaid receptacle laterally toward said sealing head as said member rotates to bring said head into alignment with said container, and means for actuating said second mentioned means to lift said container to move the upper end thereof between said flanges of said closure member and move said closure member into said sealing head when said container is vertically aligned with said head whereby said flange and the top of said container are heated and said flange is secured to both sides of said container.

8. A machine for sealing a closure member having an inner flange and an outer depending peripheral flange and being coated with a substance adapted to form an adhesive when heated, to an open ended container about which said outer flange is adapted to extend and which is coated with a substance adapted to form an adhesive when heated having in combination, a rotatable supporting member having a plurality of portions thereon for respectively supporting containers, a second rotating member above said member having a plurality of sealing heads thereon, means for heating said sealing heads, a plurality of receptacles for containing closure members in superposed relation carried by said second rotating member, a closure member feeding device on said second rotating member for each sealing head thereon, means for rotating said members, a cam for actuating said feeding device for pushing the lowermost closure member in said receptacles respectively into axial alignment with a sealing head, means for raising one of said portions to move the upper end of said container between said flanges of said closure member and move the latter into said sealing head, said 10 sealing heads comprising relatively movable members with cooperating surfaces between which said flange and the top of said container are pressed, and means for moving said surfaces to press said flanges and container therebetween to seal said closure member to said container.

9. T he structure set forth in claim 8, said closure memher having a central flat portion with inner and outer spaced flanges connected at their upper ends, said central portion being disposed below the tops of said flanges, said container being moved between said flanges, one of said members of said sealing head being movable into contact with said central portion within said flanges, the other member of said sealing head engaging the outer one of said flanges, said last mentioned means acting to press said other member of said sealinghead against said outer flange whereby said flanges are pressed against the inner and outer sides of said container respectively and secured thereto.

10. A sealing device for sealing a container coated at its upper portion on its inner and outer sides with a substance adapted to form an adhesive when heated to a closure member having a central portion and inner and outer flanges adapted to engage the inner and outer sides of said container, said closure member being coated with a substance adapted to form an adhesive when heated, said central portion being below the tops of said flanges having in combination, an outer cylindrical portion, a central cylindrical head within said portion adapted to fit within said inner flange and top of said container and engage said central portion, a multiplicity of adjacent resilient members having lower outwardly curved bottoms extending outwardly from said inner head to substantially the bottom thereof and said outer portion having an up wardly and inwardly inclined surface above and adapted to be engaged by said resilient members as said inner member is moved upwardly by said container to press said flanges against said upper end of said container as said upper end and flanges surround said cylindrical head to press both flanges of said closure member against the sides of said container respectively.

11. A sealing device comprising a cylindrical head, said head having an annular coiled spring about its inner surface adjacent the bottom thereof, a guideway extending laterally from said head, means for feeding a formed closure member having a depending peripheral flange in said guideway into position substantially axially aligned with said head and into position to rest on said spring, means for raising an open-ended non-rigid container axially aligned with said closure member to move said container through said spring and causing it to engage said closure member, and move said closure member upwardly in said head, said closure member having a central portion and said flange being adapted to surround the upper end of said container, said head having means for heating and sealing said flange to said container, said spring acting to accurately axially align said container and sealing head.

12. An apparatus for operating on a container of sheet material comprising a non-rigid shell with a continuous periphery and a cover having a central flat portion and an upwardly and reversely bent flange at its edge, said flange thus having inner and outer portions adapted to engage and extend about the inner and outer sides of said container, said central flat portion being below the top of said flange, a die having a periphery fitting within said inner flange and engaging the top of said cover within the wall of said container, a plurality of resilient members carried by said die having convex lower portions and disposed about said die adapted to be moved about the outer side of said outer flange, and an outer die relative to which said first mentioned die is movable longitudinally of said dies having a surface adapted to engage said portions of said resilient members and press said portions and container together between the same and said periphery whereby the end portion of said shell and said inner and outer portions are pressed tightly together.

13. The s't'riitiiit fifli in claiiii 12; aid shell and flange being cated with a snBtanc adapted t6 fr'r'n an adhesive when heated,- and means fbf heating one of Said dies to catiise said shell and pd'rti'ons of said flange to adhere.

14. The structure set fdrth in claim 12, 'said resilient members having ciiriked s'iib'stant'ially ylindrical beads at their lower ends ng'age'ahl 15y said surface (in said outer die for moving said member tward aid first irientio'n'e'd die so that said inner and dutr p'o'rtiohs (if said flange are res'pect iv'ely pi'sse'd a'gaint and secured to the inner and outer sides of said cbntainr.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 13,065 Levy Dec. 2 8, 1909 

